On September 6, 2009, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to Route 66 Auto in Seligman, Arizona, regarding an attempt car theft. During a meeting with the reporting party, an employee of the Route 66 General Store approached and told deputies 2 men just tried to rob her. The victim explained that she was making a cash drop nearby and was approached by two suspects wearing hooded sweatshirts and gloves. At one point, one of the men pointed a gun at the victim and she screamed, causing both suspects to flee without the cash. The victim also indicated she possibly recognized the voice of 36-year-old Richard Seim as one of the suspects. The attempt robbery incident was located in an area adjacent to the vehicle tampering.
A short time later, deputies located Seim during a traffic stop and he was detained. Deputies also continued their investigation into the attempt auto theft at Route 66 Auto believing the two incidents might be linked. Seim and another male were interviewed regarding the robbery and vehicle tampering allegations and both denied any involvement. Both were released pending further investigation.
On September 7, 2009, deputies canvassed the areas where the robbery and attempt auto theft occurred and located a black hooded sweatshirt laying near a fence. Inside one of the pockets, deputies found a flat head screwdriver and black colored air gun pistol which could easily be mistaken for an authentic firearm. The items were recovered and held as evidence.
On September 9, 2009, deputies reviewed a September 6th surveillance tape from a food mart across from the Route 66 General Store. The video showed Seim and another man, who was wearing a sweatshirt matching the one recovered on September 7th, entering and exiting the food mart. In the video, the pair was last seen walking towards Route 66 Auto and the General Store just prior to the time of the robbery.
As a result of the investigation, deputies contacted Seim at his Seligman home and arrested him for involvement in the robbery. Seim was transported to the Camp Verde Detention and booked for one count of Armed Robbery. He remains in-custody on $50,000 bond. Additional charges are likely as the investigation continues into the attempt auto theft. Deputies are also working leads with intent to identify second suspect in this case.
Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at
(928) 771-3260 or the YCSO website: www.ycsoaz.gov